Does tire grooving really work?

[pokey1416]

So grooving R4's work. Great idea. Nice job you guys did. Another problem with R4"s is they are a directional tire. I'm frequently in reverse using my 3pt SB and snow pusher with a backdrag edge. The R4's are just not cutting it in the snow. I'm clearing 30 driveways a storm so i can't afford traction issues. The rears are filled, too. There are better options. grooving might be one. Another is new tires. Michelin has the CROSSGRIP that are becoming quite popular with the Canadian boys running L6060"s to clear snow. The Michelin CROSSGRIP"s are a bidirectional radial that give excellent grip forward or reverse as well as a smoother ride on pavement. Certainly an all season rugged tire. Big bucks for new shoes. Kubota Corp should hook with Michelin and offer a snow package for the Grand L and M series like jd does with their 4 series and Nokian Tires.

I’ve been diligently reading the grooving posts but put off doing it this year. Tried out the new pusher and noticed some rear wheel slip when backing out of a pile. Was hoping to wait for warmer weather but I think I’ll do it now. I read that blowing heat onto tire helps in cold weather. Glad to see this thread active again.

 

[D2Cat]

Pokey, you are correct it is more difficult to push the cutting edge through colder rubber. What might work good is to jack the rear up an inch or so (so you can turn the tires without moving the tractor) then use a torpedo type heater blowing on the tire you're working on. Adjust the distance as necessary because it doesn't take much to get the rubber as warm as the sun does in the summer. The heat will make it easier for you also!

 

[NHSleddog]

I had mine in my heated shop for a couple days when I did it. I'm not sure how easy/hard it was based on temp, it was plenty easy though. With the liquid filled tires they hold the heat/cold a while.

 

[tinman4240]

I'm glad we are talking about grooving R4's again, also. I think I have become obsessed with the idea as some members say it helps. Anything that can help an R4 in the snow is good. I ordered an Ideal groover with #4 and#5 blades. On the rears I like the two groove method. But I am thinking about alternating every other lug with the parallel groove. The lugs in between I'm thinking about cutting a perpendicular groove to form a nugget type on that lug. 3 equal spaced grooves. I did a cad drawing of the RC in the flat with the staggered lugs. Not sure I know how to attach the drawing but I'll try. If grooving doesn't work my finance director ( my wife ) has okayed new tires.

 

[pokey1416]

I'm glad we are talking about grooving R4's again, also. I think I have become obsessed with the idea as some members say it helps. Anything that can help an R4 in the snow is good. I ordered an Ideal groover with #4 and#5 blades. On the rears I like the two groove method. But I am thinking about alternating every other lug with the parallel groove. The lugs in between I'm thinking about cutting a perpendicular groove to form a nugget type on that lug. 3 equal spaced grooves. I did a cad drawing of the RC in the flat with the staggered lugs. Not sure I know how to attach the drawing but I'll try. If grooving doesn't work my finance director ( my wife ) has okayed new tires.

That's an interesting front wheel design I haven't seen before. Would like to hear how that does in the snow. I'm going to order a white sharpie to help with the lines as my old eyes may have trouble seeing black on black.

 

[D2Cat]

Tinman, on the bars with the slots cut across the tread, I think I would still cut at least one groove in the middle going the same direction as the other bars.

 

[chim]

I've done the tires on an L3200 and an L4240. The L3200 was outside, but when the groover got heated up it worked OK with outdoor temps in the 30's. I jacked the tractor up when I did the L4240 and it made life much easier. If you do that, have a piece of 2x4 or something that you can kick under the tire to prevent it from spinning when pushing the groover.

The L4240 was done in my BIL's barn with temps in the near 60 degree range and it seemed to be a little better. I was planning on drawing lines to follow, but just winged it freehand.

 

[tinman4240]

I've done the tires on an L3200 and an L4240. The L3200 was outside, but when the groover got heated up it worked OK with outdoor temps in the 30's. I jacked the tractor up when I did the L4240 and it made life much easier. If you do that, have a piece of 2x4 or something that you can kick under the tire to prevent it from spinning when pushing the groover.

The L4240 was done in my BIL's barn with temps in the near 60 degree range and it seemed to be a little better. I was planning on drawing lines to follow, but just winged it freehand.
View attachment 52729 View attachment 52730

Chin, You did a nice job on those grooves. OEM? Noticed the long groove goes straight thru the entire lug. I like that . Have you used them in the snow? like the double groove on the wider part of the lug

 

[SidecarFlip]

Don't need no stinking groover, I run R1's.....

 

[tinman4240]

That's an interesting front wheel design I haven't seen before. Would like to hear how that does in the snow. I'm going to order a white sharpie to help with the lines as my old eyes may have trouble seeing black on black.

View attachment 52723

Pokey1416 Might be a good idea for my old eyes too. Was thinking about a white tire crayon but the Sharpie sounds good.

 

[tinman4240]

Tinman, on the bars with the slots cut across the tread, I think I would still cut at least one groove in the middle going the same direction as the other bars.

Tinman, on the bars with the slots cut across the tread, I think I would still cut at least one groove in the middle going the same direction as the other bars.

Tinman, on the bars with the slots cut across the tread, I think I would still cut at least one groove in the middle going the same direction as the other bars.

D2Cat, Thanx for the idea of adding a parallel groove . That's the good thing about ACAD. If you want to make a change just change it. I suppose the parallel groove would make more of a nugget which I think would improve the traction of the R4 SLICKS I run now.

 

[chim]

Chin, You did a nice job on those grooves. OEM? Noticed the long groove goes straight thru the entire lug. I like that . Have you used them in the snow? like the double groove on the wider part of the lug

Been using them on the L3200 (sold) and more recently the L4240. Scroll down to post #652 in the link below for a short story:

Snow Equipment Owning/Operating - Cutting / Groving / Siping R-4 for snow

Watcha gonna do with all of them "fishing worms" :)........

www.tractorbynet.com

 

[D2Cat]

Here's an interesting pattern for your grooves.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/snow-removal/581474d1543863063-cutting-groving-siping-r-4-a-img_1266-jpg

 

[fruitcakesa]

Don't need no stinking groover, I run R1's.....

For some help steering when plowing snow or turning in slushy conditions. I tried out a single groove on the worn R1's, I did not want to risk breaking off a lug with more grooves
It helps up to a point until the wet/slippery factor tips in favor of the wet.
Then and in truly icy conditions, I put on the front chains. Once winter hits, rears are always on

 

[NHSleddog]

Don't need no stinking groover, I run R1's.....

Grooves would improve R1's at the contact point as well. Friction is friction.

 

[SidecarFlip]

Those aren't worn.. They are worn when bald.... No chains on the back for me, just the front.

 

[skeets]

Ya know the more I read here I find this thread is GROOVY,, sorry some old guy had to say it

 

[D2Cat]

I was using the tractor yesterday, and after some melting ice and snow, this is the impression the grooved tires make on damp soil. It is apparent the grooves allow more contact surface.

 

[Deuce]

Those pictures say it all

 

[NHSleddog]

You can see the snow trapped in the grooves.